Annual. Reporting Year Presented By Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority PWS ID#: ,

Transcription

1 Annual Reporting Year 2013 Presented By Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority PWS ID#: ,

2 There When You Need Us We are once again proud to present our annual water quality report covering all testing performed between January 1 and December 31, The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) publishes this report to provide you, the consumer, with important information regarding your water quality. Where your water comes from, what analytical tests are conducted, what they reveal, and how the results compare to regulatory standards are all addressed here. We are passionate about maintaining superior water quality and are committed to delivering the best-quality drinking water possible. To that end, we remain vigilant in meeting the challenges of source water protection, distribution and transmission system protection, and water conservation. Through proactive efforts, the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) is continually monitoring, assessing, and working to eliminate potential hazards to our water source including inappropriate aquifer utilization, unsuitable land uses, and the potential for saltwater intrusion. Progressive planning, such as construction of our new reverse osmosis plant, the strategic installation of additional monitoring wells, and the implementation of alternative water supplies and advanced conservation strategies, will continually be used to protect our resource. Additionally, we persist in our efforts to manage the impacts to our transmission and distribution lines from ongoing outside utility construction and harsh environmental conditions. Throughout these challenges, we maintain our high standards in an effort to continue delivering the best-quality drinking water possible. There may be other hurdles in the future, but please know that we will always stand by you and the exceptional drinking water we work diligently to provide. We encourage you to share your thoughts with us on the information contained in this report. Should you ever have any questions or concerns, we are always available to assist you. Snowbird Suggestions Keep It Fresh! Returning from a summer respite, or just an extended vacation? Keep your water fresh by flushing the bathroom and kitchen faucets for several minutes upon your return. This practice allows fresh water into your system and also replaces the water that may have evaporated from the sink traps without which sulfur odors from your sewer lines may come into your home. Substances That Potentially Could Be In Water The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)

3 Lead in Home Plumbing If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at How Long Can I Store Drinking Water? The disinfectant in drinking water will eventually dissipate even in a closed container. If that container housed bacteria prior to filling up with the tap water the bacteria may continue to grow once the disinfectant has dissipated. Some experts believe that water could be stored up to six months before needing to be replaced. Refrigeration will help slow the bacterial growth. Important Health Information Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants may be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The U.S. EPA/CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) or Source Water Assessment Plan The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is conducting a statewide source water assessment project. This project will result in Source Water Assessment reports that will identify and assess any potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of each water supply in the state. This inventory only identifies potential sources of contamination. It does not mean that these sites are actively causing contamination of the drinking water source. The FDEP has performed a source water assessment on our shallow aquifer system in Florida City and a search of the data sources indicated one potential source of contamination (FKAA s injection well utilized for its disposal of concentrate from the RO water treatment plant) near our wells. This source is categorized by the FDEP as being of low concern, the product being chloride from the Floridan Aquifer. The Source Water Assessment report for our system is available at the FDEP Source Water Assessment and Protection Program Web site at Community Participation You are invited to participate in regularly scheduled board meetings and voice your concerns about your drinking water. Call the executive office at (305) , or visit our Web site at com for more information on these meetings. FAST FACT If you shorten your daily shower by just two minutes, you can save approximately 3,960 gallons of water per year.

4 Your faucet or sink may affect the quality of your drinking water. Discolored water, sink or faucet stains, a buildup of particles, unusual odors or tastes, and a reduced flow of water may be due to the condition of the faucet, sink or drain. The solutions to these problems may be in your hands. Kitchen Sink and Drain Hand washing, soap scum buildup, and the handling of raw meats and vegetables can contaminate your sink. Clogged drains can lead to unclean sinks and backed-up water in which bacteria (e.g., pink and black slime growth) can grow and contaminate the sink area and faucet, causing a rotten egg odor. Disinfect and clean the sink and drain area regularly. Also, flush regularly with hot water. Faucets, Screens, and Aerators Chemicals and bacteria can splash and accumulate on the faucet screen and aerator, which are located on the tip of faucets and can collect particles like sediment and minerals resulting in a decreased flow from the faucet. Clean and disinfect the aerators or screens on a regular basis. Water Filtration and Treatment Devices A smell of rotten eggs can be a sign of bacteria on the filters or in the treatment system. The system can also become clogged over time so regular filter replacement is important. (Remember to replace your refrigerator filter!) QUESTIONS? For more information about this report, or for any questions relating to your drinking water, please call Julie Cheon, Water Quality and Environmental Manager, at (305)

5 How Is My Water Treated and Purified? J. Robert Dean Water Treatment Facility (PWS ID#: FL ) The water treatment plant is an integrated source facility staffed by state-licensed personnel. Groundwater extracted from the Biscayne Aquifer is the primary source water for this facility. A secondary groundwater source, the Floridan Aquifer, is utilized to a much lesser extent. The Biscayne groundwater is classified as very hard due to the high concentration of calcium in the water. A process called lime softening is used to reduce calcium hardness. Lime softening is achieved by the addition of excess calcium under high ph conditions. This allows the water to become supersaturated with calcium, thereby causing the calcium to sink to the bottom of the lime-softening treatment unit, leaving less-hard (softened) water for use by FKAA. The FKAA product water is considered moderately hard. The softened water is then piped to dual media filters, which are made up of layers of anthracite and fine sand for additional removal of particles (calcium) and further purification. Chlorine and ammonia are injected into the water to form chloramines, which provide long-lasting disinfectant protection without the objectionable taste and odor of regular chlorine. Fluoride, which is recommended for drinking water by the American Dental Association to prevent cavities, is also added. In order to comply with Biscayne Aquifer withdrawal limitations, a Floridan wellfield and low pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) water treatment plant were constructed. Operational since the summer of 2009, the LPRO water treatment plant treats the brackish water of the Floridan Aquifer. The Floridan raw water contains approximately 4,000 to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) of salt. This concentration is significantly lower than the 35,000 ppm typically found in seawater. This LPRO system utilizes very fine membrane elements. The water is pressurized to approximately 250 pounds per square inch (psi), rejecting the salt while allowing the passage of the pure finished water. The LPRO water is disinfected in the same manner as the Biscayne lime-softened water. Finished water from the LPRO WTP is blended with water treated from the Biscayne Aquifer. The FKAA treated water is pumped 130 miles from Florida City to Key West, supplying water to the entire Florida Keys. The water provided to customers in the Florida Keys is continuously monitored and tested to ensure that the water quality is consistent, safe, and meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The FKAA operates two state-certified laboratories, located in Florida City and Stock Island, to perform many daily water quality analyses. Kermit H. Lewin Reverse Osmosis & Marathon Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facilities (PWS ID#: FL ) Through a process called Reverse Osmosis (RO), the Kermit H. Lewin and Marathon RO water treatment facilities desalinate saltwater, producing potable water. The saltwater from seawater wells first enters the cartridge filter to remove particulate matter. From the filters, the water is pressurized up to 900 psi. These pressures are significantly higher than those required at the Florida City LPRO due to the significantly higher salt content of the seawater. The high pressure forces some of the water in through the RO membranes and is commonly referred to as permeate; the remainder of water is rejected as brine and disposed in an underground injection well. The permeate flows into a degasifier and clear well, where hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are removed. Next, sodium hydroxide is added to raise the ph, and a corrosion inhibitor may be added to provide corrosion control. In the final treatment stage, the permeate is disinfected with chloramines, and the finished product is transferred to the storage tank for distribution.

6 Where Does My Water Come From? J. Robert Dean Water Treatment Facility (PWS ID#: FL ) The FKAA s primary drinking water supply originates from the Biscayne Aquifer, a below-ground limestone geological formation that produces high-quality fresh water. Our wellfield is located within an environmentally protected pine rockland forest west of Florida City on the mainland. The location of the wellfield near Everglades National Park, along with restrictions enforced by state and local regulatory agencies, contributes to the remarkably high quality of the source water. The FKAA wells contain some of the highest-quality groundwater in the state, meeting all regulatory standards prior to treatment. Included in the regulations mentioned above are restrictions that limit the amount of water that can be extracted from the Biscayne Aquifer. In order to meet these regulations, the FKAA utilizes the Floridan Aquifer, a brackish groundwater source located approximately 800 to 1,000 feet below the surface, to supplement and protect our primary Biscayne supply. The FKAA constructed a low-pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) water treatment plant at our Florida City Wellfield in 2009 to utilize the Floridan Aquifer and contribute up to an additional six million gallons per day to our water supply. Kermit H. Lewin Reverse Osmosis & Marathon Reverse Osmosis Facilities (PWS ID#: FL ) During an emergency situation, the FKAA may utilize the emergency Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) located in Stock Island (Kermit Lewin Reverse Osmosis Facility) and Marathon to supplement the water supply and increase emergency storage capacity. The RO WTPs withdraw from seawater wells to produce potable water from saltwater.

7 Sampling Results During the past year, we have taken thousands of water samples in order to determine the presence of any radioactive, biological, inorganic, volatile organic, or synthetic organic contaminants. The tables below show only those contaminants that were detected in the water. The state requires us to monitor for certain substances less often than once per year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently. In these cases, the most recent sample data are included, along with the year in which the sample was taken. If you would like to see the list of all regulated contaminants, please go to our Drinking Water Standards Report on our Web site, or contact Julie Cheon at (305) or PRIMARY REGULATED CONTAMINANTS Microbiological Contaminants CONTAMINANT AND UNIT OF MEASUREMENT MCL VIOLATION (YES/NO) DATE OF SAMPLING (MO./YR.) HIGHEST MONTHLY PERCENTAGE MCLG MCL LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION Total Coliform Bacteria (% positive samples) No 01/ / Presence of coliform bacteria in 5% of monthly samples Naturally present in the environment Inorganic Contaminants CONTAMINANT AND UNIT OF MEASUREMENT MCL VIOLATION (YES/NO) DATE OF SAMPLING (MO./YR.) LEVEL DETECTED RANGE OF RESULTS MCLG MCL LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION Barium (ppm) No 04/ NA 2 2 Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits Fluoride (ppm) No 01/ / NA Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories; water additive that promotes strong teeth when at optimum levels between 0.7 and 1.3 ppm Nitrate [as Nitrogen] (ppm) No 04/ NA Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Nitrite [as Nitrogen] (ppm) No 04/ NA 1 1 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits Sodium (ppm) No 04/ NA NA 160 Salt water intrusion; leaching from soil Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products CONTAMINANT AND UNIT OF MEASUREMENT MCL VIOLATION (YES/NO) DATE OF SAMPLING (MO./YR.) LEVEL DETECTED RANGE OF RESULTS MCLG MCL LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION Haloacetic Acids (five) [HAA5] Stage 2 DDBP (ppb) No 01/ / NA 60 By-product of drinking water disinfection TTHM [Total trihalomethanes] Stage 2 DDBP (ppb) No 01/ / NA 80 By-product of drinking water disinfection Lead and Copper (Tap water samples were collected from sites throughout the community) CONTAMINANT AND UNIT OF MEASUREMENT AL EXCEEDANCE (YES/NO) DATE OF SAMPLING (MO./YR.) 90TH PERCENTILE RESULT NO. OF SAMPLING SITES EXCEEDING THE AL MCLG AL (ACTION LEVEL) LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION Copper [tap water] (ppm) No 08/ Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives Lead [tap water] (ppb) No 08/ Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

8 Definitions AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow. IDSE (Initial Distribution System Evaluation): An important part of the Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Rule (DBPR). The IDSE is a one-time study conducted by water systems to identify distribution system locations with high concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). Water systems will use results from the IDSE, in conjunction with their Stage 1 DBPR compliance monitoring data, to select compliance monitoring locations for the Stage 2 DBPR. LRAA (Locational Running Annual Average): The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters. MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology. MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. NA: Not applicable ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter). ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter).